Volunteering

The University of Leeds has a dedicated Volunteering team to help students to access volunteering opportunities during their time in Leeds.

We work in partnership with third-sector organisations in Leeds and the surrounding area, connecting our students with volunteering opportunities for the benefit of everyone. Our students are passionate about making a positive difference in their local community with thousands volunteering each year. 

Benefits of volunteering

Volunteering allows students to develop skills and competencies which they can take into their future careers and lives. Benefits include:

•    The opportunity to give back to the local community and make connections with projects, places and people in the Leeds area which they’d not otherwise come into contact with  
•    The chance to help and support a cause that they feel passionate about
•    The chance to explore their career interests, or gain the skills and experience to give you a head start in their chosen careers

As well as gaining skills such as teamwork and communication, a number of the charities that advertise opportunities through us provide student volunteers with access to specialist training, allowing them to develop a range of skills which can be evidenced on application forms when applying for jobs.

Connecting students with volunteering opportunities

We advertise volunteering opportunities to students through the Leeds Volunteering Hub on MyCareer. The range of volunteering activities available are vast. Opportunities include: supporting vulnerable adults, conservation work, assisting in Art Galleries and Museums, helping at soup kitchens for the homeless, and supporting refugees and asylum seekers. Some are one-off activities such as marshalling at a charity sporting event and others require a longer commitment, but all would be manageable to fit in around academic work and other commitments.  

If you would like advice on connecting students with volunteering opportunity, please email volunteer@leeds.ac.uk

Volunteering with Leeds University Union 

Over 2,500 students volunteer through Leeds University Union, either through a society or becoming a rep. The LUU Student Activities team can be contacted for more information on this: Activities@leeds.ac.uk

Student Representatives

There are a number of opportunities for students to represent their peers as a Course or School Rep (representing students on their course or in their school), a Community Rep (representing students living in certain areas of Leeds) or a Student Activities Rep (representing a category of student clubs and societies). For more information, visit the Leeds University Union website.

Halls Execs

Halls Exec organise events, sports and other activities within Halls of Residence. To be on their halls’ exec, students must first nominate themselves for a role and then be elected by students in their hall. 

Committee positions in a club or society

Student clubs and societies are run by elected committees. Every society needs a President, Treasurer and Secretary and many also have additional roles. Students can stand for a committee position at a club or society’s AGM (Annual General Meeting). Find out more.

Volunteering through sport 

Leeds Sport have lots of volunteering opportunities on campus, in the local community & internationally. Leeds Sport aim to enhance the student experience and bring people across Leeds together through sports volunteering. Read more about the opportunities they have available here.